Mentioning Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear

Today we’re looking at the history of underwear. The first question you might ask is…Why? Why spend time thinking about something so mundane, so personal, so domestic? Because something so personal and utilitarian can give us a real glimpse into the way people lived their most personal lives hundreds of years ago. 

Throughout history, people responded to changes in climate and technology, to wars and regimes being overthrown, to hunger, to marriage and birth and death in public ways. They also responded in private ways. And private choices are sometimes represented by these most private moments and bits of clothing, worn away from the public gaze. Looking at the private moments can help us understand who those people really were. And understanding them helps us understand where we come from, who we are, and who we can be.

So let’s take a look at what’s happening under all those glamorous clothes!

History shows us what's possible.